U.S. patent number 10,783,807 [Application Number 14/928,525] was granted by the patent office on 2020-09-22 for adhesive patch with voids.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Iconex LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is Iconex LLC. Invention is credited to Austin Daniel Anderson, Stephen Cameron Van Winkle, Tom Edward Zagaya.
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United States Patent |
10,783,807 |
Anderson , et al. |
September 22, 2020 |
Adhesive patch with voids
Abstract
An adhesive patch is provided. The adhesive patch includes an
adhesive region with adhesive and a void region devoid of any
adhesive.
Inventors: |
Anderson; Austin Daniel
(Dacula, GA), Van Winkle; Stephen Cameron (Lawrenceville,
GA), Zagaya; Tom Edward (Knoxville, TN) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Iconex LLC |
Duluth |
GA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Iconex LLC (Duluth,
GA)
|
Family
ID: |
1000005070433 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/928,525 |
Filed: |
October 30, 2015 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20170124920 A1 |
May 4, 2017 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F
3/10 (20130101); G09F 3/0288 (20130101); G09F
2003/023 (20130101); G09F 2003/0248 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G09F
3/10 (20060101); G09F 3/00 (20060101); G09F
3/02 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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WO-2017/075280 |
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May 2017 |
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WO |
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Other References
Definition "thermoplastic", Merriam-Webster dictionary, retrieved
on Oct. 29, 2018 (Year: 2018). cited by examiner .
Definition of "stagger" from Merriam-Webster dictionary, retrieved
on Aug. 20, 2019 (Year: 2019). cited by examiner .
"International Application Serial No. PCT/US2016/059210,
International Search Report dated Jan. 3, 2017", 2 pgs. cited by
applicant .
"International Application Serial No. PCT/US2016/059210, Written
Opinion dated Jan. 3, 2017", 5 pgs. cited by applicant .
"European Application Serial No. 16860833.9, Extended European
Search Report dated Oct. 2, 2018", 9 pgs. cited by
applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Desai; Anish P
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner,
P.A.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An adhesive label comprising: a substrate; an adhesive region
with adhesive on a first side of the substrate; two void regions
that are devoid of any adhesive on the first side of the substrate;
and a print layer on a second and opposing side of the substrate,
wherein the print layer comprises one or more thermally sensitive
coatings that changes color upon application of heat; wherein the
two void regions are non-intersecting and staggered within the
adhesive region, and edges of the adhesive region forms a border
between edges of the substrate and edges of the two void regions,
wherein each void region is a triangular shape, wherein a first
apex of a first triangular shape for a first void region is
directed in a first direction and a second apex of a second
triangular shape for a second void region is directed in a second
direction, wherein the first direction is an opposite direction
from the second direction, wherein the first void region is
adjacent to the second void region and separated by a portion of
the adhesive region, and wherein a first base of the first
triangular shape for the first void region is aligned horizontally
with the second apex of the second triangular shape for the second
void region.
2. The adhesive label of claim 1, wherein a surface area of the
adhesive region within the adhesive label is greater than a surface
area of the two void regions.
3. The adhesive label of claim 1, wherein the adhesive region
surrounds and outlines all of the two void regions.
4. The adhesive label of claim 1, wherein a portion of the adhesive
region is situated at a center of the label.
5. The adhesive label of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is one of: a
high-tack adhesive, a high-tack pressure sensitive adhesive, and a
pressure-sensitive adhesive.
Description
BACKGROUND
The ubiquitous adhesive label is available in a myriad of
configurations for use in various applications, including specialty
applications. The typical adhesive label includes
pressure-sensitive adhesive on its back side and is initially
laminated to an underlying release liner.
Adhesive labels may be found in individual sheets, or joined
together in a fan-fold stack, or in a continuous roll (web). Label
rolls are typically used in commercial applications requiring high
volume use of labels.
The challenge with adhesive-based printing applications is that too
much adhesive applied to a label can over time collect on
mechanical components of the printer during printer operation. So,
any label having an adhesive coating that is fed through a printer
can interfere with print quality and cause printer jams.
Moreover, during manufacture of the adhesive label rolls repeated
placement of the adhesive patch in a same amount and in a same
location with each label can result in wrinkling of the web and/or
ridges forming as the web is wound onto the reel.
Still further, when labels are applied to items (after printing and
removal from the web), the labels can lip up (flag or flare) along
their perimeters resulting in some cases in the labels falling off
the items to which they are applied. In some instances, these types
of problematic labels can also interfere with other materials added
to the items, such as a coffee collar slipped over a cup of coffee
where the label faring prevents the coffee collar from properly
fitting over the cup.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an improved adhesive
patch.
SUMMARY
In various embodiments, an adhesive path with one or more voids and
methods of applying the patch to a label are provided.
According to an embodiment, an adhesive patch is provided. The
adhesive patch includes an adhesive region with adhesive and a void
region devoid of any adhesive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A is a diagram of adhesive patches with staggering voids
applied to labels in a web, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 1B is a diagram of other adhesive patches with staggering
voids applied to labels in a web, according to an example
embodiment.
FIG. 1C is a diagram of adhesive patches with voids having a small
amount of adhesive applied in the void region, the adhesive patches
applied to labels in a web, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a view of a thermal printer dispensing pressure sensitive
high tack adhesive labels with voids, according to an
embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a linerless label, according to
an embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a view of a second surface of the linerless label of FIG.
3, including printed text, according to an embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a view of a first surface of the linerless label of FIG.
3, including a strip of activated adhesive with a void, according
to an embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an example apparatus for applying adhesive patches with
voids, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an example double-sided thermal printer for printing
labels having adhesive patches with voids, according to an
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As will be described more completely herein and below, the adhesive
with void(s) improves paper feed for printers and other performance
and processing properties for thermal-printed, labels, linerless
labels, and related products.
The term "Sticky Media" refers to a paper product (such as a label
or linerless label) featuring a thermal top coating (i.e. a coating
that darkens when exposed to heat, known as a "thermal coating")
and a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) coated on the reverse side
of a substrate. The thermal-coated top surface is over coated with
low surface energy silicone (or silicone-free (water based) release
agent/mixture) to allow the paper to release from itself when wound
into a roll, without picking or causing other product defects in
the media.
The adhesive patches with voids discussed herein enable a
distribution of tack over a wider area of the backside of the
labels (such as but not limited to receipts) while conserving the
mass of the applied adhesive applied. When compared to a solid
adhesive patch having a same perimeter, an adhesive patch with
voids (as presented herein) maintains acceptable performance within
a printer when a label is imaged while the adhesive void patch
counters increase in binding that would occur with a solid adhesive
patch having no voids within the printer.
Furthermore, in distinction with smaller solid adhesive patches, a
larger adhesive patch with one or more internal voids is better
able to distribute total adhesive mass over the backsides of labels
and counters the tendency of the labels "flapping," "flagging,"
"flaring," "lipping up," of curling along the perimeters of the
labels (such as receipts) when the labels are applied to a package
or item.
The adhesive void patches (presented herein) provide a full
coverage label function with less adhesive being required on the
backside of the label. This provides value by decreasing the cost
of glue required when manufacturing webs of the labels and provides
a more environmentally friendly application, since less adhesive is
used per label.
Additionally, staggering of the void regions from patch-to-patch
improves machine runnability by inhibiting the tendency to form
wrinkles in the machine direction aligned with the voids.
An adhesive patch with one or more voids (presented herein) is
applied to a surface of print media. In an embodiment, these
patches with voids may be of any geometric shape, of varying size,
and applied in various patterns.
In an embodiment, the adhesive path with one or more voids employs
a high-tack pressure sensitive adhesive.
In an embodiment, the adhesive path with one or more voids employs
any pressure sensitive adhesive.
The adhesive patches with manufactured void areas (presented
herein) enables the production of a superior label by enabling a
larger backside adhesive coverage area in proximity to the label
perimeter while utilizing a lesser amount of adhesive used in
conventional small adhesive patch applications. This results in
lower amounts of adhesive being required and reduces the cost of
manufacture.
FIG. 1A is a diagram of adhesive patches with staggering voids
applied to labels in a web, according to an example embodiment. The
perimeter of the adhesive patch (gray area with white oval void) is
in proximity to the perimeter of the label (each label on the web
in the FIG. 1A separated by a back rectangular sense mark). The
void area of the adhesive patch intersects a center of the label
but does not completely overlap the center of the label. Moreover,
the location of the void area varies from label to label (the first
label having a void area offset about the center of the label to
the right, the second label having a void area offset about the
center of the label to the left, and the third label having a void
offset area similar to that of the first label).
Having the void area in the adhesive patch vary from label to label
and avoid ever completely overlapping void centers while still
intersecting at least a portion of the center results in optimal
machine performance at the rewind end of the machine. If the voids
were all aligned, the rewind reel would tend to build ridges along
the glue (adhesive) pattern that runs in the machine direction, the
regions of adhesive that define the lateral perimeter of the patch.
These ridges destabilize the roll.
Additionally, less margin between the adhesive patches with voids
and the label perimeter is achievable with less adhesive being
required, which creates better tack and reduces flagging and
flaring when the labels are applied to packaging as receipts after
being imaged by a printer and removed from the roll.
Still further, because less adhesive is used during manufacture of
the web, there is less adhesive concentrated over the length of the
web, which makes the web (roll) softer than conventional
manufactured rolls and allows the web of the present teachings to
be more easily unwound by a printer during receipt printing in a
retail environment. This produces less wear and tear on the printer
and printer components.
Also, the adhesive patch with void labels manufactured on the web
require less drying energy because less adhesive is used than
conventional adhesive patch applications. That is the amount of
heat or the time to dry adhesive patches on labels is a function of
the amount of adhesive being used per patch and since less adhesive
per patch is required with the teachings presented herein, less
heat and/or less drying time is required during label manufacture
than conventional approaches.
FIG. 1B is a diagram of other adhesive patches with staggering
voids applied to labels in a web, according to an example
embodiment. FIG. 1B illustrates that multiple voids may appear
within a single adhesive patch.
FIG. 1C is a diagram of adhesive patches with voids having a small
amount of adhesive applied in the void region, the adhesive patches
applied to labels in a web, according to an example embodiment.
The adhesive patches with voids of the FIG. 1C include a small
amount of adhesive within the center of the void (darkened diamond
in the FIG. 1C, white area are void areas, darkened areas are
adhesive areas).
The layout of the adhesive path with a void area having an
additional amount of adhesive (as shown in the FIG. 1C) prevents
bubbling of the label when it is affixed to packaging.
In an embodiment, the coverage area of adhesive within the adhesive
patch having one or more voids is greater than the coverage area of
the void(s) (as shown in the FIG. 1A).
In an embodiment, the coverage area of the adhesive within the
adhesive patch having one or more voids is less than the coverage
area of the void(s) (as shown in the FIG. 1B).
In an embodiment, the coverage area of the adhesive within the
adhesive patch having one or more voids is substantially the same
as the coverage area of the void(s).
In an embodiment, void geometric shape(s) within the adhesive patch
with one or more voids is configurable and varies from label to
label during manufacture of a web of labels.
FIG. 2 is a view of a thermal printer dispensing pressure sensitive
labels having an adhesive patch with one or more voids, according
to an embodiment. With reference to FIG. 2, a printer 10 configured
for printing in sequence individual labels 12 for use in a typical
fast food application. For example, food may be placed in a
suitable food package 14 such as the paper box illustrated, or
simple wrapping paper. Printer 10 may include a thermal printer,
such as a single or double-sided thermal printer (as shown in the
FIG. 6).
Print or identifying indicia 16 is printed on a label 12 in printer
10 for identifying the contents of the package, for example. The
individual printed label 12 may then be removed from printer 10 and
applied using the adhesive patch with one or more voids 38 to the
food package 14 as illustrated in the a method (12 printed from 10
to 16 to APPLY LABEL to 12 applied to 14 using 38 (adhesive patch
with void)), which is shown in FIG. 2.
It is to be noted that the adhesive path with one or more voids 38
is not drawn to scale in the FIG. 2 and the patch 38 covers a
greater surface area of the backside of the label 12 then what is
depicted in the FIG. 2. Moreover the patch 38 includes one or more
voids as illustrated in the FIGS. 1A-1C.
FIGS. 3-5 illustrate an example linerless label 100 that includes a
printable surface including imaging material on one side and a
heat-activated adhesive surface on the other side having a release
coating, according to embodiments of the invention. It is to be
noted that other types of labels are also envisioned.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a linerless label having an
adhesive patch with one or more voids, according to an
embodiment.
With reference to FIG. 3, linerless label 100 is formed of layers
including a substrate 102, a thermal print layer 104, a
heat-activated adhesive layer with one or more voids 106, and a
release coating 108. The adhesive layer with one or more voids 106
overlies a first surface 112 of the substrate 102 and the print
layer 104 overlies a second surface 114 of the substrate 102 of the
print layer 104. The release coating 108 overlies surface 116 of
the print layer 104. The adhesive layer 106 having an adhesive
patch comprised of an adhesive or adhesive mixture with one or more
voided areas (areas devoid of any adhesive or adhesive mixture.
In some embodiments, substrates may be thermally resistant in order
to prevent heat applied to one side of the substrate from
activating materials on the other side of the substrate.
Linerless label 100 may be wound into a roll. The adhesive layer
with one or more voids 106 comes into contact with the release
coating 108, thereby minimizing adhesion between the adhesive layer
106 and the print layer 104 or underlying substrate 102.
The print layer 104 can include one or more layers of thermal
imaging material. For instance, the print layer 104 can include a
thermal transfer receptive coating suitable for thermal transfer
printing. Alternately or additionally, the print layer 104 may
include one or more thermally sensitive coatings which are adapted
to change color upon application of heat thereto by which direct
thermal printing is provided.
The adhesive layer with one or more voids 106 may include adhesives
and may be applied in patches (in any of the manners discussed
above) using a printing press.
As an alternative to using a separate print layer 104, substrate
102 could comprise thermochromic paper. A thermal print head can
print visible patterns on thermochromic paper without requiring an
additional print layer to be formed on the substrate.
FIG. 4 is a view of a second surface of the linerless label of the
FIG. 3, including an example printed or imaged text, according to
an embodiment.
That is, FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a second surface 202 of
the linerless label 100 after printing. In this example, the label
100 is a receipt for a fast food meal. As shown in FIG. 3, the
second surface 202 of the linerless label 100 has been printed with
transaction information by, for example, direct thermal printing of
one or more thermally sensitive compounds in the print layer
104.
FIG. 5 is a view of a first surface of the linerless label of FIG.
3, including a strip of activated adhesive (having at least one
contiguous are devoid of any adhesive within the strip), according
to an embodiment.
The first surface 302 includes a wet adhesive portion in the form
of a tacky strip 310 of heat-activated adhesive material (having a
void devoid of any wet adhesive portion) that has been activated
by, for example, a thermal print head. In this example, the tacky
strip 310 can be used to attach the receipt to an associated bag of
food or a cup of coffee. Consequently, the bag or cup with the
receipt can be handed to a customer simultaneously.
The tacky strip 310 can be formed in one of at least two different
methods. In the first method, the entire first surface 112 of the
substrate 102 can be overlaid by a heat-activated adhesive with a
voided region that is dry and non-tacky prior to activation. Then,
only a selected portion of the heat-activated adhesive, the portion
defining the strip 310, is activated by heat applied with a thermal
print head. Depending on the embodiment, such activation may occur
at or substantially at the same time as, or at some time after the
second surface 202 of the receipt has been printed with transaction
information. In the second method, a portion of the first surface
302 defining the strip with one or more voided regions 310 can be
overlaid with a heat-activated adhesive that is dry and non-tacky
prior to use. The entire heat-activated adhesive can be activated
by a thermal print head, which activation may, depending on the
embodiment, occur at or substantially at the same time as, or at
some time after the second surface 202 of the receipt has been
printed with transaction information. Either manner will result in
a tacky adhesive strip with one or more voided regions 310. When a
double-sided thermal printer is used, a first thermal print head
can print on the second surface 202 of the receipt while a second
thermal print head activates the first surface 302 of the
receipt.
The substrate can be paper, such as a base paper, a single layer
coated paper, a several layer coated paper, a thermal coated paper,
a top coated paper (over the thermal coating), film, or any other
substrate that can receive coated layers.
FIG. 6 is an example apparatus for applying adhesive patches having
one or more voided regions devoid of any adhesive, according to an
example embodiment.
An example press 400 is illustrated. The example press is a
flexographic or "flexo" printing press.
FIG. 7 is an example double-sided thermal printer for printing
labels having an adhesive patch with one more voided regions devoid
of any adhesive, according to an embodiment.
An example double-sided thermal printer includes a first print head
assembly 510, a second print head assembly 520, and a motor. The
first print head assembly 510 includes a first print head 550 and a
first platen 570 rotatable about a first shaft 590. Similarly, the
second print assembly 520 comprises a second print head 560 and a
second platen 580 rotatable about a second shaft 600.
During operation of the double-sided thermal printer, the motor
drives the first and second shafts 590 and 600 to turn the first
and second platens 570 and 580. Accordingly, when a label 500 is
fed into the printer, rotation of the first and second platens 570
and 580 pushes the label 500 in a direction indicated by a vertical
arrow. As the label 500 passes through the printer, the first and
second print heads 550 and selectively heat the two sides of label
500 to perform printing operations. More particularly, first print
head 550 performs printing operations on a side of label 500
indicated by an arrow 610 and second print head 560 performs
printing operations a side of label 500 indicated by an arrow
620.
In an embodiment, when the applied adhesive (having one or more
void regions that are devoid of any adhesive) is applied to the
substrate it can be a pressure-sensitive adhesive. In such a case,
pressure can be applied to the adhesive at a customer's location
for the receipt to adhere to customer items, such as, but not
limited to: paper/foil wraps, cardboard boxes, clam shells, fries
sleeves, cups, etc.
Although the present invention has been described with particular
reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, variations and
modifications of the present invention can be effected within the
spirit and scope of the following claims.
* * * * *